Greetings from the Gulf of Thailand! After three straight weeks on Koh Tao, I’m venturing a little further afield on one of the monthly little getaways I’ll be taking to satisfy my wanderlust itch while still pumping the breaks big time on travel and setting up a home base again. This time, I’m headed to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, the other two islands in the archipelago that Koh Tao sits atop of. A necessary day trip to Koh Samui for a visa extension morphed into a peaceful three-day vacation there with Ian, and a chaotic two-day villa stay with some of island crew in Koh Phangan was quickly tacked on for fun.
I’ve been so looking forward to this trip! While I’ve been to both islands before and it’s a relatively short one compared to my usual jaunts, I’m giddy about getting away. Sounds crazy, right, when I’m so excited about settling down? Well, I knew there would be challenges in making such a massive shift in my lifestyle, and while I am thrilled with my decision and know it is exactly what I need right now, I’ve spent four and a half years conditioning my overstimulated self to enjoy near constant changes of scenery and pace — so learning to sit still again is a process. Next week’s check in should be interesting!
As for this week’s — it was a heavy one here and around the world. I was sobered by the horrific violence happening in Paris, Baghdad and Beirut and the fresh reminder once again that we are all so small. I felt grateful, as always, for long days to write and work, mornings to do yoga, sunsets to go hiking, and friends to share it all with.
Sending lots of love from Thailand.
Photo A
My girl Janine and her yoga studio
Photo B
My friend Paivi and her pup Saya
Which photo is your favorite?
I just got home from my yoga class in a super crowded yoga studio, so reading about your outdoor yoga on a tropical island makes me wanna quit everything and buy a one way ticket to Thailand.
I do love practicing outdoors. I went to a class last week where we had no music and just listened to the crickets and the other sounds of the jungle. It was gorgeous!
Photo B!!! That hike view looks amazing and you’ve got some killer back muscle going on there girl!
Actually, that’s my friend Paivi with the amazing back muscles — I was the one taking the photo 🙂
Love photo B – the views are spectacular, and I’m a dog person, so I can imagine hiking with a canine friend and enjoying all that Koh Tao has to offer! Great pic.
Saya is a great little hiking buddy! She never gets tired, which is very inspiring to those of us huffing along 🙂
Photo B! Regretting not having seen this view when I was on Ko Tao. Also, that pup!
Isn’t she a sweetie? You should see how cute she looks riding on the handlebars of a motorbike.
Photo B! That view is amazing, and you have an adorable company by your side.
PS loving those tattoos! 🙂
That’s my friend Paivi, and yes, she has some gorgeous ink!
Photo B! Beautiful view and cute dog!
Same with me. Photo B really has a great view. And I’m a dog lover, so that gives more points for me.
Both a gorgeous!
Photo B as always with any photo that features one of our four legged friends.
Yup, I’m so glad to have friends with dogs around the island. Helps with me missing my own pup!
Photo B
Definitely the reader fave this week!
and erm, i thought would be photo C or D to choose from?
call IAN BB!!! Tell him your readers think BB rings nicer!
I think BB sounds nice too 🙂 And some weeks I just have one or two photos — it’s a challenge to get even those, sometimes!
I love Photo B – There’s nothing like the feeling of reaching a peak on a hike and just staring out and soaking the view. You’ve captured it well there!
Thanks Laura! Yes, it was a sweaty hour with a gorgeous reward. Though next time we should probably bring a torch if we hike so close to sunset!
Photo B! Both for the view and for taking that moment just to sit, absorb, and be.
…and catch your breathe after chasing your very fast hiking friend and her sprightly dog up a mountain 😉
Hahahaha! Sounds like my shavasana after power yoga…okay, I’m meditating, really, not just dying because of how much beyond physical limits I contorted my body!
My favorite picture is Photo A – simply because it pictures exactly what I want to be doing right now! 😉 And tropical flowers are always a plus! Have lots of fun on your little trip! 🙂
Thanks Melanie — just got back, it was amazing!
I really love the photo b because it really make me wanna go out and see the world
That’s what I’m going for, Izy! Glad to hear it 🙂
Photo B wins for me but that’s because i’m a total sucker for our little four-legged furry friends! xo
You and me both. Dogs rule and cats drool! (A controversial opinion on the interwebs, I know.)
I’m choosing B. A reflective photo for these difficult times.
So true, Steve. Thanks for voting.
Aw, the pup in photo B looks like my mini-pinscher, Duke!
Then Duke must be a cutie 🙂
Awesome photo. B is perfect in sight seeing and the pup… gives casual life look.
It’s the good life! 🙂
I was meant to get around to going to Koh Tao when I was in Thailand. Guttered that I didn’t. The photos and stories I read, like this one, make me wish I had of
All the more reason to come back!
Its amazing @alex still more people are coming to see. I have share it with my friends. All are appreciating. Its nice post. Thanks
Thanks for sharing, Miki!